All,
I know we cover all this stuff ad nauseam. But I thought I would get opinions anyway. If I want to buy 1 pair of race wheels should I get:
Thanks for your thoughts.
Neal
depends what types of races you want to ride. do you ride courses that frequently have a really strong crosswind?
it also depends on whether or not you are seriously concerned with upping the pimp factor of your bike by buying those lightweights.
Not really concerned about the pimp factor, just want to go as fast as possible. I am racing 70.3 Florida and IM Germany this year. But I am looking for general all around wheels. I have been racing on 404 front 900 disc rear for years and I am looking for new stuff.
id get the Lightweights
.
I’d consider an 808 rear with a wheel cover and a 404 or 808 front for maximum versatility.
I know it’s not on your list, I’m just trying to be helpful.
Not sure that any of the choices you propose would be substantively faster than what you already have, since you already have a very fast combo. Newer-yes. Faster, probably not.
Just out of curiousity, why would you choose the lightweights? Performance or coolness factor?
Hed stinger 90’s
faster than the 808’s - oh yeah - also a lot cheaper
.
For triathlon I would say no to choice 3. What about Hed? Deep 3 for example?
Herbert
Herbert,
Why not the lightweights? No reason I didn’t include heds, I ride a set of jet 50s for training, but tend to like zipps for racing.
Neal
I do not remember the exact results, but from what I recall while they are very lightweight and make a weightweenie like me happy on my road weightweenie bike, they have no aero numbers that apparently impress Tri / TT folks other than with the weight. But I haven’t got the exact data to back it up.
Herbert
Thanks Herbert. It looks like Zipps it is. Now I need to decide if it is sub 9 or 1080 rear. Also if I should upgrade the bearings.
Also the Xentis TT wheels I am currently testing are very sweet and have done really well in a test by Tour mag in Germany. They were only beaten by Zipps. 
unless you are selling your disk, i would get the 1080 rear, then you would be set if you didnt want to use a disk, or course called for something non-disk. and you would still have the 900 disk around. if selling, i would go disk/808 or similar style wheels.
Why not Rear:Sub9 / Front:1080 (both with ceramic upgrades of course)?
haha if cash is no issue than by all means…
Id choose the Lightweights cos they can be used in more situations than the other combinations…they’re aero and light at the same time so when the hills appear they’ll be noticeably faster…though i’d do what i did…i bought some LEW VT-1 rims, with Tune hubs and had them done by Tune in germany…cost less than the Lightweights and under 1kg the pair…I bought mine from a really nice guy called Tom. See them here: http://www.tomsbikecorner.de/shop/products/Wheelsets/Roadbike/Carbon/Lew-Racing-Pro-VT-1-Felgen-Tune-MIG45-MAG150.html
Hedfan-
What would you pick between a set of Hed H3’s or a set of Hed 60/90 Stingers? What are the advantages/disadvantages between the two wheelset choices?
depending on whether you are looking for clinchers or tubies - that is your first question as the stingers are tubular only (but you could always look at a jet 90/60 combo in that case)
Weight:
Stinger 90 rear - 938g and 60 front - 612 for a total of 1550
Hed 3c front/rear (tubie) 670 and 830g for a total of 1500
= Hed 3 c slightly lighter
I have cut and paste the drag details from the Hed site below for your reference
I have had MANY discussions with many triathletes, cyclists, store owners and some of the wheel manufacturers themselves
I have ridden Zipp 404,606,808 and I have ridden Hed3 Clinchers, Hed3 Carbon, Stinger 90’s Jet60/90
the only wheel I have not used from either manufacturer is their discs.
I am also not an expert in aerodynamics - actually - far from it - I am an average MOP triathlete
Without making this a Zipp vs Hed post - I choose Hed wheels over Zipp - so given that - and back to your original question - Hed 3 or Stiner 60/90…
I am a 200lb clydesdale so handling is not a big issue for me - except in very windy conditions.
My own personal experience - I cannot tell the difference between the Stingers and Hed3c’s in terms of speed and/or handling.
I do respect the advice and input of the guys at Hed - who will tell you and back it up with data - that the Hed3 is the most aerodynamic wheelset in everyday conditions - ie - not in a windtunnel with controled wind speed and direction.
I race IM distance so the gains to be had from an aero set of wheels are greater -given the length of time spent on the bike.
My wheelset of choice in the past has been the H3c
I will be investing in a set Hed 3 deeps when they become available - or possibly just a Hed 3 deep rear and run my regular H3 on the front.
Hed3 = Durable, bomb proof wheels - tested and proven by pro cyclists and triathletes for MANY years - they’re relatively light - come in a tubular or clincher version - look cool if that matters for anything - affordable by aerowheel standards today
I have a clincher wheelset - which just happens to be a Jet 60/90 - because I am just still on the fence about clinchers v tubulars - to be honest - I think the Jet 60/90 is incredible value for money and the new C2 rim technology makes it ride SO nicely
If I had to have just one set of wheels…
Hed Jet 90/60 on C2 rims!!!
Now have I really confused you?
Have a look at where the JET 60 and 90 lie in wind drag - vs the Stinger 60 and 90 - surprising huh???
Wind drag:
Hed 3
Wind Drag In grams, measured at:
Density .0023755(slug/ft3) temp 61 f, 19mm tire Wind Angle 0° 5° 10° 15° 20° Hed 3 CR 187 175 189 173 170 28 Spoke low profile 221 229 273 283 292
Stinger 90:
Wind Drag In grams, measured at:
Density .0023755(slug/ft3) temp 61 f, 22mm tire Wind Angle 0° 5° 10° 15° 20° Stinger 90 194 166 113 204 211 28 spoke 221 229 273 283 292
Stinger 60:
Wind Drag In grams, measured at:
Density .0023755(slug/ft3) temp 61 f, 22mm tire Wind Angle 0° 5° 10° 15° 20° Stinger 60 197 179 191 216 218 28 spoke low profile 223 231 275 285 294
Jet 90:
Wind Drag In grams, measured at:
Density .0023755(slug/ft3) temp 61 f, 22mm tire Wind Angle 0° 5° 10° 15° 30° Jet 90 192 163 111 202 209 32 Spoke 221 229 273 283 292
Jet 60:
Wind Drag In grams, measured at:
Density .0023755(slug/ft3) temp 61 f, 22mm tire Wind Angle 0° 5° 10° 15° 20° Jet 60 195 179 189 214 216 28 Spoke low profile 221 229 273 283 292
I was seriously considering some HED3’s but got talked out of them. I’m riding in the midwest, northern IL and in WI. I’m doing IMWI and a couple of half IM’s. A guy form the LBS told me that he had the HED3’s and that although he liked them, they felt to heavy for IMWI and that I’d be better off with Zipp 606’s. I just want the best all around wheels for everything I do. But IMWI is my big race and it’s by far the most important to me. Are the Zipp 606’s the wheels for IMWI? I have a similar build to you and will be doing most of my racing between 200 and 205 pounds. Although I may be as low as 195 by the time September gets here.
Any imput wpuld be greatly appreciated.